Boy, 7, burned by hot coffee

Murray Ridge incident leaves student in hospital

ELYRIA — A 7-year-old boy with Down syndrome was in the hospital with second-degree burns after he dumped a pot of hot coffee onto his chest and stomach Wednesday at the Murray Ridge School.

Jacob Moss, of Elyria, was rushed to EMH Regional Medical Center and later transported to Cleveland MetroHealth Medical Center following the accident. He was listed in good condition Thursday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.

School officials said they have been told Moss could be released from the hospital as early as today.

“Nothing like this has ever happened before,” said Tim Donohue, school spokesman.

Donohue said the incident took place on the second day of school inside a classroom, where Jacob was being taught. At the time of the accident, there were six students, four adult teaching aides and one adult teacher in the classroom.

Donohue said Jacob was being led back to his seat by an aide when he broke free and ran about 10 to 15 feet to a life skills learning center adjacent to his classroom. There, he grabbed a hot pot of coffee and poured the brewing liquid on him.

Donohue said students are not allowed to be in the center unless accompanied by a teacher or aide during the course of normal instruction. It is used by older students as the school teaches those up to the age of 22, he said.

“More than one adult tried to stop the young man, but he was too fast,” Donohue said.

The school on Murray Ridge Road is operated by the Lorain County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

None of the aides nor the teacher has been placed on leave or disciplined as a result. However, Donohue said the incident is still being investigated.